a brave attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brave attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about someone who attempted something difficult or risky. For example, you could say, "He made a brave attempt to climb the treacherous mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ask.com made a brave attempt a decade ago (when it was called AskJeeves.com), but found the going tough.Since then, natural language processing has improved by leaps and bounds, and is now being used to decipher detailed queries.

The Economist

It is a brave attempt that almost works.

The Guardian - Books

It was a brave attempt, but ultimately in vain.

The Times

"Steve, we blew it," she said on stage in a brave attempt at humour.

Independent

A brave attempt to create an issue-linkage between the tampon tax and foreign policy, though.

Independent

Mr Towers's coup looks like a brave attempt to delay the inevitable.

The Economist

A television series called The 1940s House made a brave attempt.

The Guardian

What has emerged is a brave attempt to make tartan work as an ensemble.

The Guardian - Opinion

As theater "The Gospel of John" is a brave attempt, but it doesn't really work.

The New York Times

Corbyn's recent Brexit speeches are a brave attempt to overcome the polarisation between leavers and remainers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cruelty is a brave attempt to come to terms with one of the foulest of human traits.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brave attempt" to acknowledge efforts that involve significant risk or challenge, even if the outcome is uncertain. For example, when reviewing a new technology, you could say: "The company's effort to create a sustainable energy source is a brave attempt to revolutionize the industry."

Common error

Avoid using "a brave attempt" when the action has already proven highly successful. It's more suitable for situations where the outcome is uncertain or faces considerable obstacles. For instance, instead of saying "His brave attempt to start a business succeeded", consider "His bold venture led to great success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brave attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "brave" is an adjective modifying the noun "attempt". As confirmed by Ludwig, it characterizes a specific action or undertaking, emphasizing its courageous nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brave attempt" is a commonly used phrase to describe an action undertaken with courage, often in the face of uncertainty or risk. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and functions as a noun phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and encyclopedic contexts. The phrase serves to commend effort and acknowledge the presence of difficulty. While versatile, remember that the phrase is most suitable when the outcome is not yet known or faces significant hurdles. When a higher degree of success has already been achieved, choose a different phrasings like "a valiant effort" to avoid downplaying the accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valiant effort

Emphasizes courage and determination, similar to "a brave attempt", but often implies a more sustained and vigorous effort.

a courageous endeavor

Highlights the boldness and risk involved, focusing on the undertaking itself rather than the immediate attempt.

a spirited try

Suggests enthusiasm and energy in the attempt, downplaying potential risks or difficulties.

a determined effort

Focuses on the resolve and persistence behind the action, more so than the bravery aspect.

a bold move

Emphasizes the risk-taking nature of the action, with less focus on the effort involved.

a plucky undertaking

Implies a cheerful and resilient approach to a challenging task.

an audacious gambit

Suggests a daring and unconventional approach, often with high stakes.

a game effort

Highlights the willingness to try despite unfavorable odds, often in a sporting context.

a daring feat

Emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the accomplishment, with focus on the level of risk associated with that accomplishment.

a feisty approach

Implies a spirited and resilient manner of tackling a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a brave attempt" in a sentence?

"A brave attempt" is used to describe an action taken with courage, often when the outcome is uncertain. For example: "The scientist's effort to find a cure was "a brave attempt" to solve a global crisis."

What's a similar phrase to "a brave attempt"?

Similar phrases include "a valiant effort", "a courageous endeavor", or "a spirited try". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "brave attempt" or "courageous attempt"?

Both "brave attempt" and "courageous attempt" are acceptable. "Brave" often implies facing immediate danger or risk, while "courageous" suggests a more enduring quality of character in facing adversity. Therefore, you can choose what's best depending on the context.

Can "a brave attempt" imply failure?

Yes, "a brave attempt" can imply that the action did not fully succeed, but it acknowledges the courage and determination involved. It's often used to commend the effort regardless of the result.